"Today there are more African-Americans under correctional control — in prison or jail, on probation or parole — than were enslaved in 1850, a decade before the Civil War began."

-Michelle Alexander "The New Jim Crow"

​Freedom Rising is a musical and dramatic exploration into the prison system of the United States. Narrators read facts, personal accounts, and quotations concerning incarceration systems throughout US history. This text supports the artistic beauty that lies within the souls of prisoners, as revealed through their poetry. The program is further enhanced by inspiring, emotionally packed music, with song arrangements, improvisations, and original works by Jeffrey Mumford, Frederick Rzewski, Ed Bland, Yusef Lateef, Renee’ C. Baker, and Anthony Green. Altogether, Freedom Rising clarifies – through narration, poetry, and music – the similarities between incarceration systems from 1800s America to the America of today. Yet in this deluge of dark fates and overwhelming circumstances, Freedom Rising also reveals a glimmer of hope: needed reform is coming, perhaps slowly, but surely.

​​​This program is supported in part by a grant from the Boston Cultural Council,a local agency which is funded by the Massachusetts Cultural Council,administrated by the Mayor's Officeof Arts and Culture.

Full Program:​

Ed Bland – For Violin

Jeffrey Mumford – through the filtering dawn of spreading daybright

Frederick Rzewski – Attica for Speaker and Ensemble

Reneé Baker – Uncovered/Extended

Yusef Lateef – Klockology

If You Miss Me at the Back of the Bus (a civil right anthem)

Precious Lord

Controlled Improvisations: Outrage, Perplexed, Protesting

​*PLUS poetry by current and former convicts, facts and thought-provoking narration.

Special thanks to the following organizations for supporting Castle of our Skins over the years:​